GUELPH, ON, June 17, 2014 /CNW/ - Today, The Co-operators announced at the annual general meeting of Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada the launch of Co-op Guard™, a first-of-its-kind insurance and financial services solution designed specifically to meet the unique needs of Canadian co-operatives.

As a Canadian-owned co-operative, The Co-operators currently provides tailored insurance solutions for many of its co-operative member-owners through its Member Benefits Program. Co-op Guard™ allows The Co-operators to reach co-operatives that are not affiliated with its membership, offering tailored solutions designed to meet their unique needs.

"As a co-operative ourselves, we know first-hand that the needs of co-ops are different from those of investor-owned businesses," said Kathy Bardswick, president and CEO, The Co-operators. "We strive to be the insurer of choice for the co-operative sector in Canada, and Co-op Guard™ is part of our commitment to supporting the sector in a variety of ways."

Co-op Guard™ allows co-operatives to save time and effort in purchasing the essential insurance products and financial services they need to protect and build their co-operatives, including:

• Commercial Liability (including enhanced Directors' and Officers' Liability)
• Commercial Auto
• Commercial Property
• Group Benefits
• Group Retirement

A number of specially trained Co-operators advisors will use a Needs Analysis Tool to advise clients of the right coverage, at a fair price and all within a co-operative-to-co-operative business environment.  Co-op Guard™ is available as of June 23 in all provinces except Quebec, where it will be made available at a later date.

About The Co-operators:

The Co-operators is one of the largest financial co-operatives in Canada, whose members include co-operatives and credit union centrals from across the country. It strives to be the insurance provider of choice for the Canadian co-op and credit union system. The Co-operators is well known for its community involvement and its commitment to sustainability. It is listed among the 50 Best Employers in Canada by Aon Hewitt; Corporate Knights' Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada; and the Top 50 Socially Responsible Corporations in Canada by Sustainalytics and Maclean's magazine. For more information visit www.cooperators.ca.

SOURCE The Co-operators